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United States Patent | 5,232,269 |
Addington ,   et al. | * August 3, 1993 |
A launch vehicle is provided for a continuous mining system including modular conveyor units that may be connected together to form a conveyor train. The launch vehicle includes an elongated frame that holds a belt conveyor for conveying aggregate material that is received from the conveyor train. A drive assembly for selectively advancing and withdrawing the conveyor train is also provided on the launch vehicle. Additionally, the launch vehicle includes a mechanism for adding a modular conveyor unit to the conveyor train. More specifically, the conveyor train drive assembly includes a pair of cooperating tandem drive cylinders. Each drive cylinder includes a pusher arm unit that is adapted to engage one of the modular conveyor units of the conveyor train. The conveyor unit adding mechanism includes a positioning mechanism that holds and places a conveyor unit on the launch vehicle. A pusher cylinder is also provided to push the new conveyor unit into engagement with the rear of the conveyor train. The launch vehicle also includes an extensible front end.
Inventors: | Addington; Larry C. (Catlettsburg, KY); Addington; Robert R. (Catlettsburg, KY); Addington; Larry M. (Catlettsburg, KY); Lynch; Albert E. (Flatwoods, KY); Susla; John (Charleston, WV); Conley; David L. (Ashland, KY); Sartaine; John J. (Russell, KY); Price; David E. (Solder, KY) |
Assignee: | Mining Technologies, Inc. (Ashland, KY) |
[*] Notice: | The portion of the term of this patent subsequent to May 12, 2009 has been disclaimed. |
Appl. No.: | 769408 |
Filed: | October 1, 1991 |
Current U.S. Class: | 299/67; 198/594; 299/57 |
Intern'l Class: | E21C 029/00; E21C 035/20 |
Field of Search: | 299/18,57,64,67 198/303,583,588,594,860.2,861.1 |
2780451 | Feb., 1957 | Alspaugh et al. | 299/18. |
2872170 | Feb., 1959 | Alspaugh et al. | 299/57. |
3135502 | Jun., 1964 | Muehlman | 299/56. |
4014574 | Mar., 1977 | Todd | 299/18. |
4036529 | Jul., 1977 | Hawthorne et al. | 299/57. |
4953915 | Sep., 1990 | Jasser et al. | 299/18. |
5112111 | May., 1992 | Addington et al. | 299/18. |